Schenker makes Under Armour National Team

Schenker performed well enough to merit making the Under Armour National Team and earn a trip to Florida in August. He made one of six National Teams that will compete in a tournament in Pirate City, Fla., August 6 through 10.

By Jeremy Costello

Butler County Times Gazette

By Jeremy Costello

Posted Jun. 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 30, 2012 at 3:18 PM

By Jeremy Costello

Posted Jun. 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 30, 2012 at 3:18 PM

Augusta, Kan.

WICHITA—Kolton Schenker was happy just to get to play in the prestigious invite-only Under Armour baseball tryouts at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on a blistering hot Monday.

But that wasn’t the only honor he’d get. Schenker performed well enough to merit making the Under Armour National Team and earn a trip to Florida in August. He made one of six National Teams that will compete in a tournament in Pirate City, Fla., August 6 through 10.

Getting named to the National Team for baseball is like being named a McDonald’s All-American in basketball. Schenker and the rest of the high school athletes will get to play and practice at the Pittsburgh Pirates training facility, where college and pro scouts will be in full force to scrutinize the players.

Though not fully substantiated, of the players who earn invites to this national tournament, more than half eventually get drafted into the pros, and nearly 100 percent of them will earn Division-I scholarships.

Schenker perhaps was most impressive with his speed, where he ran the fastest 60 time of the entire tryouts (60 yards from first to third base, a key stat for outfielders). At the national tournament, he likely will pitch, possibly play some first and play in the outfield, as well. Scouts liked his hitting, speed in the outfield and athletic ability.

Schenker, an All-League pitcher for the Augusta Orioles during the high school season, also is playing in a showcase tournament this weekend in Missouri with his traveling team, the DeMarini Force.